NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACT (NWPA)


radioactive_waste_disposal_site_in_Yucca_Mnt.jpg
Radiocative Waste Disposal Site in Yucca Mountain


Kennedy, Chuck. Inside the Test Chamber for High Temperature Storage of Waste in
the Yucca Mountain Radioactive Waste Disposal Site in Yucca Mountain,
Nevada, June 25, 2002. The site is being developed as the nation.
Photograph. 2002. KRT Photos. 30 June 2002. eLibrary Curriculum Edition.
ProQuest. Hempfield High School Lib., Landisville, PA. 19 May 2008
<[[http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce%3E.%3C/span%3E%3C/span|http://elibrary.bigchalk.com/ce>.
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  • enacted in 1982
  • this act suggests the use of deep geologic repositories for storing and disposing radioactive waste
  • includes procedures to evaluate and select geologic repository sites
  • establishes times for certain goals to be met
  • Department of Energy (DOE)
    • assigned the responsibility to site, build, and operate a deep geologic repository for the disposal of high-level waste and spent nuclear fuel (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2008)
  • EPA
    • develops standards for the protection of the general environment
  • Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)
    • license DOE to operate a repository, given the requirements are met